We see them day after day on the same street corners, holding their cardboard signs asking for help. How do you respond?
Would you respond differently if you saw Jesus Himself standing there?
Maybe we can’t give to all of them every time we see them. Is that our excuse for not giving to them at all?
Maybe the problem lies in our use of the word ‘them’: We distance ourselves from them.
Consider the Good Samaritan, who cared for his neighbor when others wouldn’t (see Luke 10:30-37). The story reminds us that God shows love, mercy, and compassion to everyone without exception.
Who’s our neighbor? Everyone, because Christ lives in everyone. We are all children of God. Do you accept that fact? Everyone – including those who don’t live, look, dress, speak, act, pray, believe, learn, or love like you do.
If we claim to follow Him, we’ll love and show compassion to all people, in concrete ways – in both our words and actions.
Maybe you justify not giving by thinking, “I worked hard to get to where I am. Why didn’t they?”
Maybe you had opportunities, and they didn’t.
Maybe you had loving parents, and they didn’t.
Maybe you had plenty of food in your home, and they didn’t.
Maybe you attended a safe school that enabled you to thrive, and they didn’t.
Maybe they had a catastrophic and expensive illness or injury, and you didn’t.
Maybe their poor choices landed them in prison, and yours didn’t. Or you got bailed out, and they didn’t.
Christ is merciful to you. Be merciful to your neighbor.
We can’t know everything about a person’s life, the challenges they’ve faced, the hurdles they’ve overcome. When we see a person asking for help, we have to see first and foremost a person – not a label, and not only the sign they’re holding. See a beloved son, daughter, or friend. See a person with hopes and dreams. See a person whose military experiences left them with nightmares we can’t begin to imagine, someone who’s doing their best to get through another day.
Love is an action verb. Start with one person. Here are examples of what some people give to those on the corners:
Some give cash.
Some give gift cards to nearby eateries.
Some give prepackaged items like nuts, granola bars, or fruit.
Some give meals purchased at nearby fast-food places.
Some give winter hats, gloves, or socks.
If you’ve thought of giving to a food bank, shelter, or soup kitchen instead of to the people on the street, have you followed through with your good intentions?
When you give, you give hope.
Give without judging. Give with a smile.
Give to your neighbor.
“‘Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?’ He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” – Luke 10:36-37
“Lord, help me see You and love You in everyone.”
Thank you for reading my reflection. © 2023 Gina Bedell Comments are always welcome!
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P.S.
We continue to pray for an end to the war. If you’d like to help the people of Ukraine through the Cleveland Maidan Association, you may use either PayPal or a credit/debit card here:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/...
Also, if you’re able to help the people of Maui, here are a few organizations that are accepting donations:
The Hawaii Community Foundation
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